• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application and Scope
• Section 3 - Award Categories
• Section 4 - Selection Criteria
• Alumni of the Year
• Young Alumni of the Year Award
• Alumni Award for Arts and Culture
• Alumni Award for Social Impact
• Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship
• Section 5 - Conditions of Nomination
• Section 6 - Nomination Process
• Section 7 - Selection Committee
• Section 8 - Presentation of Awards
• Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 10 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) The University of Wollongong (the University) Alumni Awards have been established to:

1. recognise the many achievements of UOW Alumni, both professionally and personally;
2. engage alumni with the University; and
3. allow the Alumni Engagement and Relations team to learn more about the achievements of alumni and to share these achievements with the University and its communities.

Section 2 - Application and Scope

(2) Alumni Awards allow the University to recognise the professional and personal contribution that UOW Alumni make to the enrichment of their profession, their community and to the advancement of society.

Section 3 - Award Categories

(3) Alumni Awards are made up of six (6) categories (all categories are open to UOW Alumni):

1. Category A: University of Wollongong Alumni of the Year Award;
2. Category B: University of Wollongong Young Alumni of the Year Award;
3. Category C: University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Arts and Culture;
4. Category D: University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Social Impact;
5. Category E: University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
6. Category F: University of Wollongong Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship.

(4) Each Award will be in the form of a trophy and certificate. The Awards will be presented at an annual gala event.

Section 4 - Selection Criteria

Alumni of the Year

(5) The Alumni of the Year Award will be awarded to an outstanding graduate and/or group of alumni:

1. who has achieved sustained success throughout their career that is noteworthy and exceptional; and
2. whose accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.

Young Alumni of the Year Award

(6) The Young Alumni of the Year Award will be awarded to an outstanding graduate and/or group of alumni: 

1. who is 35 years or younger in the year of the award;
2. who demonstrates exceptional success in their chosen industry/profession;
3. who demonstrates significant contribution to their profession and/or community at local, national and/or international levels; and
4. whose work and/or contribution to their community or profession is likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and community at large.

Alumni Award for Arts and Culture

(7) The Alumni Award for Arts and Culture will be awarded to an outstanding graduate and/or group of alumni:

1. who demonstrates excellence and innovation in the arts, culture and creative sectors; and/or
2. whose efforts promote the understanding and value of cultural diversity; and
3. who has made significant contributions to society through creative and cultural disciplines.

Alumni Award for Social Impact

(8) The Alumni Award for Social Impact will be awarded to an outstanding graduate and/or group of alumni:

1. who demonstrates the positive impact they have had on a/the community through their work in social innovation, volunteerism, or community impact within the profit, non-profit or public sector; and
2. whose work demonstrates improvement to social, economic, environmental or political challenges of a/the community.

Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

(9) The Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be awarded to an outstanding individual graduate and/or group of alumni:

1. who demonstrates a strong entrepreneurial mindset, creative approach and innovative leadership within their industry, profession, field of research or expertise; and
2. who achieves outstanding recognition as an innovator by conceiving and implementing work in new and creative ways, showcasing a tangible and positive impact on the lives of others.

Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship

(10) The Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding graduate and/or group of alumni:

1. who demonstrates sustained contribution to their field of research at local, national and/or international levels; or
2. who has achieved recognition and raised profile through excellence in research contributing to:
   1. new and influential knowledge, which advances the community; or
   2. greater recognition to their field.

Section 5 - Conditions of Nomination

(11) Nominations must be submitted via the online form at Alumni Awards website.

(12) Nominations in all categories can be made by a University of Wollongong graduate, staff member or member of the public.

(13) Alumni may self-nominate. If so, it is a requirement that at least one referee complete a statement to support the nomination.

(14) The following can not be nominated:

1. University Council members;
2. members of the University Senior Executive; 
3. Advancement Division staff; or
4. members of the Selection Committee;

(15) Alumni are only eligible to win an award from one UOW Global Campus.

(16) An Alumni Award may be awarded to a group of two or more UOW alumni (corporate/not for profit entities as a whole are not eligible to be nominated). All group members must be UOW alumni.

(17) Alumni Awards Selection Committee members who have any involvement in a nomination may not participate in the Alumni Awards Selection Committee's deliberations and decisions regarding that nomination.

(18) The decision of the Alumni Awards Selection Committee will be presented to the Vice-Chancellor and President for approval and no correspondence will be entered in to.

Section 6 - Nomination Process

(19) In accordance with the Alumni Awards Local Protocol, the nominator must ensure the following supporting documentation is included:

1. Completed Alumni Awards Nomination Form including:
   1. contact details of nominee and nominator (compulsory);
   2. statement(s) from the nominator indicating why the nominee should be considered for the award (compulsory);
   3. at least one referee, who is not the nominator, to complete a statement in support of the official nomination for the Award (compulsory for self-nominations);
   4. nominee’s most recent CV (4 pages maximum, please note that a print out of a LinkedIn profile will be accepted (compulsory);
   5. LinkedIn profile link of the nominee; and
   6. the option to include a total of 10 pages of supporting other documents (e.g. media articles, statement of awards, etc)(optional)

(20) Nominations must be submitted by the closing date, as indicated on the Alumni Awards website.

(21) Nominator’s will receive written advice of the outcome of their nomination by 30 July of the year of the Award.

Section 7 - Selection Committee

(22) The Alumni Awards Selection Committee considers nominations and determines successful candidates for each Alumni Award category. This is then noted as part of the Honorary Awards Committee process.

(23) The Alumni Awards Selection Committee is chaired by a Pro-Chancellor of the University and includes a minimum of two (2) senior academic staff members, four University of Wollongong alumni and the Director, Advancement. Other members may be appointed at the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor and President.

Section 8 - Presentation of Awards

(24) Award finalists will be advised in writing of the outcome of their nomination prior to receiving an invitation to attend the gala event.

(25) All finalists will be invited to attend the event, with the recipients being announced on the night.

(26) Recipients will be announced at the annual gala event.

(27) Nominees who are not selected as a finalist or recipient of an Alumni Award will not be notified by Advancement Division. It is at the discretion of the Nominator as to whether or not they would like to advise the nominee of the outcome of the nomination (as many nominations are made in confidence). Nominees who self-nominate will be notified directly.

Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities

(28) The Alumni Awards are administered by the Advancement Division Division.

(29) Location: Building 39, University of Wollongong NSW 2522.
Email: alumni@uow.edu.au
Telephone: +61 2 4221 3169.

Section 10 - Definitions